Senior Savvy: Review drug plans annually

Q: My mother has prescription drug coverage but she is still paying quite a bit out of pocket. How do I know if she is on the best plan for her medications? And, is there any way to reduce the cost?

Debbie Gitner, LCSW, and Linda Sullivan, RN

Q: My mother has prescription drug coverage but she is still paying quite a bit out of pocket. How do I know if she is on the best plan for her medications? And, is there any way to reduce the cost?

A: From Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, the federal government allows open enrollment under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Jan. 1, 2009, is the date any new plan selections go into effect.

It is important to review prescription plans each year to see if there is a better plan with a lower cost for prescriptions. There are a few ways to compare plans. After Nov. 15, go to your mother's pharmacy and ask them to give you a list of her medications; of course, you need your mother there to give permission. Then, ask the pharmacist to run the prescriptions through a computer program that will generate several suggested prescription drug plans for her.

A second way to compare plans is to go to www.medicare.gov, where there is information on prescription drug plans, and you can input your mother's medications there as well.

There are also many state and local programs that can help you find the best plan for your mother.

Q: My mother does not consistently take her medications and I often see pills on the floor when I visit. How can I make sure my mother takes her pills daily and correctly?

A: If your mother is trying to take her medications but the pills are falling out of her hands, then consider putting the pills on a plate. When your mother reaches for the pills, encourage her to use a spoon to scoop them up.

Some seniors have difficulty seeing the medications and our suggestion is to put the medications on a brightly colored plate so the medications will stand out. Do not use a black plate - use a color like red.

If your mother is deliberately choosing not to take her medications, then you should call her primary-care physician to discuss the matter. It is possible that her physician may reduce the amount of medications for your mother without any risk to her health.

Also, ask your mother if the pills are too big for her to swallow. If that is the case, ask the pharmacist if that pill can be crushed or put in apple sauce or even ice cream, making it easier to swallow.

If your mother feels she has too many medications to take at one time, talk with the pharmacist about changing the dosing times of the medications, splitting them between morning and night.

There are also pill boxes with alarms as yet another option.

ElderCare Resource Services is a partnership of geriatric nurses and social workers that helps families to investigate, assess and recommend medical and non-medical care and resources for seniors. Send questions to SeniorSavvy@ElderCareResources.com or ElderCare Resources Inc., 29 Gano Road, Marlborough, MA 01752, or call them at 508-879-7008.